Path cleared for Lowe's in Hornell

Friday

All the municipalities have signed off, now the road is clear for annexation of land for a proposed Lowe’s home improvement store into the city of Hornell.

All the municipalities have signed off, now the road is clear for annexation of land for a proposed Lowe’s home improvement store into the city of Hornell.

Jim Griffin, Hornell Industrial Development Agency executive director, told the IDA board of directors Thursday night that memorandums of understanding with the city, Village of North Hornell and Town of Hornellsville have now all been signed.

“Next, the village and town have to pass resolutions confirming the annexation,” Griffin said. “Once that is done and the city passes a local law, the land will be annexed.”

The annexation will allow the Lowe’s project to be eligible for Empire Zone benefits, as it will be inside the city’s boundaries.

The IDA will be applying to Lowe’s for a $50,000 economic development grant, Griffin said, which, if awarded to the IDA, will be turned over to Hornellsville for economic development purposes. In addition, the IDA will give the town its $50,000 fee for putting the Payment in Lieu of Taxes package together.

“We’ll allocate the total $100,000 to the town for economic development,” Griffin said.

IDA board Vice Chairman George Prete asked what would happen if the IDA did not get the grant from Lowe’s, in terms of how much money would be paid to the town. Griffin said the town would get at least $50,000 from the fees, but would only get the additional $50,000 if the Lowe’s grant is awarded.

A resolution outlining payments to the town was approved.

In other business:
l IDA board Treasurer Shawn Hogan noted Thursday was the final day of Steve Dennis’s four-month leave of absence, requested when he accepted the job as executive director of the Seneca County IDA. He said Dennis informed the Hornell IDA he would remaining in Seneca County, not returning to his position as Empire Zone coordinator.

“Hopefully our paths will cross again,” Hogan said.

Griffin, who is the zone administrator, has undertaken the coordinator’s position since Dennis’s departure. It is expected Griffin will remain in that role for the time being, with technical assistance provided by the agency’s accounting firm.

l Griffin discussed Trikeenan Tileworks, which is located in the Shawmut Industrial Park. He said the IDA, Steuben Trust Company and Trikeenan have been trying to obtain some more working capital for the company, which recently landed a pair of big contracts. He said the New York Business Development Council, which contributed funds to the business when it opened up shop at the former Steuben Tile facility, has agreed to put up additional funding, with a match from the company.

“It seems as though, if they can get over the hump most start-ups deal with, they’ll be OK,” Griffin said.

l Griffin outlined some problems that have occurred at the Gates-Rockwell building on Main Street and the building occupied by Gray Manufacturing at the South Yards. He said there were some issues with the sprinkler system at the Rockwell building, which have been fixed, and Gray Manufacturing is working with the manufacturer of an air circulator machine in its building.

l Xylon is still planning to renovate the Hornell Manufacturing building, Griffin said, adding the company is in the process of hiring someone to maintain the building and oversee renovations. The renovation work is expected in the spring, he said.

l IDA board Chairman Sam Nasca noted some of the IDA board members attended an economic development conference in Orlando, Fla., last month, and are planning to attend a summit in Washington in April.

“I just want to say that there was not one round of golf played,” added Griffin about the Orlando trip.